Knee decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for cervical spine and right knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease within one year of discharge from active duty or continuity of symptoms since separation. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have a preexisting right knee disability at the time of his entrance into service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as his claim for an initial rating for PTSD. The issues are currently pending before the RO.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for entitlement to service connection for right hip and right knee disorders due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right knee disability, including as secondary to a left knee disability, should be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for right total knee replacement and bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate opinions provided in previous VA examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee arthritis, finding that the evidence did not establish a relationship between his current condition and his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical nexus opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's left knee disability and active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an unresolved claim of CUE in a 1997 rating decision, and the effective date issue is also being reconsidered.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from engaging in substantially gainful employment since November 5, 2019. The Board granted a TDIU for this period of time but remanded the issue prior to November 5, 2019 due to lack of development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current knee conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's tension headaches are granted service connection. The remaining issues of service connection for various musculoskeletal and psychiatric disabilities are remanded.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims for service connection can be adjudicated. The Veteran's back, foot, hip, and knee disabilities are being remanded for additional medical opinions to address the etiology of her conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examinations in determining an increased rating for left knee degenerative arthritis. The Veteran's claim is now pending again with instructions to obtain a new examination that adequately addresses flare-ups and repeated use over time.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for right knee instability and arthritis with painful motion is being remanded due to the need for updated VA medical records and a new examination. The effective date is not specified.

The Board denied service connection for left knee and right shoulder disabilities, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that caused the current conditions.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the left knee has not manifested in flexion limited to 45 degrees or extension limited to 10 degrees, even considering functional impairment due to factors such as pain. The highest rating available is 10 percent.,The Veteran's left foot hallux rigidus, hallux valgus, and hammer toes status post bunionectomy with screw fixation have been assigned a 10 percent rating, which is the maximum schedular rating authorized under the applicable criteria. The Veteran's hammer toes do not affect all toes.,The Veteran's left foot spurring and arthritis corresponds to foot injury of no more than moderate severity. A separate rating of 10 percent, but no higher, for left foot spurring and arthritis is granted.,The Veteran's right foot hallux valgus, hallux rigidus, and hammer toes have been assigned a 10 percent rating, which is the maximum schedular rating authorized under the applicable criteria. The Veteran's hammer toes do not affect all toes.,The Veteran's right foot spurring and arthritis corresponds to foot injury of no more than moderate severity. A separate rating of 10 percent, but no higher, for right foot spurring and arthritis is granted.,The reconstruction of the left ankle manifests in moderate, but not marked, limitation of motion, and it does not manifest in limitation of dorsiflexion to 5 degrees or less or plantar flexion to 10 degrees plantar flexion or less. The highest rating available is 10 percent.,The Veteran does not have a current right ear disability for VA purposes.,Diabetes mellitus, type II, was not shown in service or within one year after discharge from service and is not otherwise associated with service. Therefore, the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied.,A heart disability was not shown in service or within one year after discharge from service and is not otherwise associated with service. Therefore, the claim of service connection for a heart disability, claimed as residuals of a heart attack, is denied.,Hypertension was not shown in service or within one year after discharge from service and is not otherwise associated with service. Therefore, the claim of service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and sleep apnea due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a cervical spine disability, bilateral flatfoot, and bilateral knee disabilities due to incomplete or inadequate examination reports.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to a lack of service treatment records and personnel records. The Veteran is advised to provide any additional information needed for the search.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The examiner is requested to provide addendum opinions addressing the nature and etiology of these disabilities in relation to service.